The conversations about improving clinical trials to better meet the needs of cancer patients continue, with two noteworthy arguments set forth recently. Both arguments address the need to rethink the design of clinical trials.
Our first Chicago GIST Day of Learning (GDOL) was a huge success! Over 50 GISTers and their families gathered for a great day of learning, and sharing experiences. It was wonderful to get to meet so many new people and reconnect with old friends.
I’ve been thinking a lot about writing this article. The last thing I want to do is cause worry or pain to anyone reading this. Then I thought of all the people who could possibly benefit in the future from knowing ahead of time what we didn’t know at the time we needed to know it.
Carrie Broussard gave birth to a healthy baby boy on May 1, after finding out she was pregnant in the midst of treatment with Gleevec. She named him Caelum, which in the Celtic origin means ‘brave warrior’ and in the Australian origin means ‘a gift.”
The Food and Drug Administration, in a much-anticipated announcement for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor patients, approved Bayer Pharmaceutical’s drug, Stivarga, for use as a third-line treatment for advanced GIST in February.
Dan Vaella was instrumental in getting Gleevec to market. After 25 years at Novartis and Sandoz, he has chosen to step down as Chairman.
The Food and Drug Administration, in a much-anticipated announcement for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor patients, has approved Bayer Pharmaceutical's drug, Stivarga, for use as a third-line treatment for advanced GIST.
A recent study at Stanford University School of Medicine shows that an antibody slows GIST growth. The study shows that the antibody binds itself to the surface of a GIST Tumor and causes the growth of cancer cells to slow in the mice they tested.
“It was such a frustrating time. It was awful,” Linda says, recalling how doctors had recommended she give Glaxo-SmithKline’s drug Votrient a shot but was unable to get Jessica’s insurance company to cover it despite appeals documented by GIST specialists.
Since we have gotten a number of questions about Gleevec (imatinib) plasma levels and testing, I think it’s time to revisit the subject, especially for newer members. Since this is a very complex subject, this may take a few emails and a few days.
